Page 178 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“You mean awesome and fun?”

Finally giving in, she laughs and tugs her computer to her lap again. “I think I could settle for a few blow jobs for all you’ve done for me.”

“Nah, I don’t want payback. I’m only into it when you are.”

“Good thing I’m into it.” She takes a quick sip, but then her expression widens like she forgot something. “Just not right now, but don’t worry, I got ya covered.” She gives me a wink.

I think this woman is going to be the end of me. In the best of ways.

Although her focus is on setting up the sale of her bags, I don’t want to leave her. I need to, though. Taking off today will only cause me headaches tomorrow if I don’t squeeze a few hours of work in. “Mind if I get some work done in the office?”

“Why would I mind?”

“Don’t want to be a bad host.”

Resting against the arm of the couch, I like how she looks like she’s belonged here all along. I start toward the office, but stop when she says, “Jackson?” and look back.

“Yeah?”

Her voice is suddenly serious, which draws her expression down with it. “This is the part about me not wanting to be aburden on you or your life. I may not know every detail of what you do, and I actually regret and feel embarrassed about that now. I’m sorry I didn’t pay more attention or ask questions.”

“You don’t have to apologize. We all live busy lives.” I lean against the corner of the wall. “The six of us used to be inseparable, but we’ve grown up. I still consider them my family, even if we don’t see each other or talk every day. Like we talked about the other night, it’s just life happening. We either let it happen to us or we lead the charge.”

Dipping my head, I rub the back of my neck and peer at her. “I’m proud of you, Marlow.”

“Why?” The question is so genuine I’m almost surprised by it.

I join her on the couch, sitting near her feet. Taking one, I start rubbing the arch with my thumbs. “Because you’ve been going through hell and none of us knew the extent of it. You showed up. Every day. And you’re still participating like you don’t have a mountain of problems weighing you down. You’re still leading that charge, even if you don’t feel like you’re making much progress. You are.” I swap feet and continue rubbing. I see the water glistening in her eyes, and it makes me realize that I don’t think she’s been given the kinds of affirmations that matter, the ones that speak of who she is on the inside.And that’s just fucking sad.

She sets the laptop down and curls herself around to hug me. Her arms are tight as she angles into my lap. “That was the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” I hold her just as tight in my arms and kiss the side of her head.

Snug in my lap, she grasps my face and kisses me. “Is this your way of getting me in bed on my first day as your roommate? I don’t usually put out until at least a week into a lease.”

We both start laughing. “The levity feels nice, but I meant what I said.”

“Oh, I know you do.” She giggles. “But I’m thinking you prefer me naked.”

I kiss her and then lean my forehead against hers. “You read me like a book.”

“Like a fairy tale.”

Leaning back, I need to read her eyes. “Thought you didn’t believe in those.”

She sighs with a little swoon at the end. “Because of you, I’m starting to change my mind.”

“My work here is done.”

Sitting up, she says, “Speaking of . . . you go work. I have more bags to list anyway.”

“Are you listing them all tonight?”

“No. I can’t rip off the bandage entirely, not yet.”

Nodding, I see the worry creasing her forehead. But I’m reminded of what she said minutes earlier. I don’t like that she thinks I’m saving her, so I don’t add to her stress or take away from what I know she’s capable of doing on her own. I’d never want that. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

The emailthread shifts into excuses. That’s not something I have a high tolerance for, so I reply, reminding the Michigan team that my funding is based on results. Our agreement was six months.

“Why are you working in the dark?”

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